New Northport council plans police chief search

Sunday

Nov 18, 2012 at 12:08 AM

NORTHPORT | Northport should have a permanent police chief by early next year.

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

NORTHPORT | Northport should have a permanent police chief by early next year.An interim chief has led the department since former Police Chief Robert Green left the department in July. Green retired after a critical report by a personnel assessment firm claimed that Green used coercion, threats and punishment as “power tools of intimidation” to run the department.Capt. Kerry Card has served as the department’s chief since Green was put on administrative leave in March.The new Northport City Council will meet on Nov. 27 to discuss how to proceed with the search for a new chief. Council members could choose to conduct a nationwide search or limit their search to within the department.“We haven’t yet made a firm decision,” said Councilman Steve Acker. “We want to consider and look at all of our options.”Once a decision is made, the hiring process should take about 90 days, said City Administrator Scott Collins.“We wanted to wait until the new council was in before going forward,” said Jay Logan, City Council president. “We’re at the point now where we can move forward. We need to talk about what we’re looking for and what it’s going to take for our police department to be the best in West Alabama.”The annual salary will likely be based on experience and will be around $90,000.The City Council members chose Green, a former Selma Police Chief, to lead the department in April 2006. More than 40 people applied for the job that year. The city’s Civil Service Board narrowed the pool of candidates to three, including Card. Green filed a federal lawsuit against the city and Collins in 2011, alleging that his civil rights were violated through racial discrimination and harassment.The lawsuit stems from a dispute between Green and Collins about the discipline of retired Assistant Chief Sharon Crowder, who backed her city-issued police vehicle into a utility pole in April 2009, causing around $1,900 in damage. Green suspended Crowder, which Collins later determined was unnecessary.The suit claims that Collins bypassed Green’s authority over the department for racial reasons and put him on unpaid leave in retaliation. The case is still pending. Green’s attorney has asked the city for various personnel and other records.